Xuancheng.

In the backyard of the official office of Lingzhou Thorn History, the melodious sound of the piano came along with the graceful singing, elegant and beautiful.

The housekeeper led a group of guests in, and stopped to admire the singing for a while, before laughing, "This is Ali?" Under the tutelage of your master, he has been trained much better than before. ”

The housekeeper smiled, "That's a gift from the son, our lord likes it very much." Come, this way, please. ”

Bypassed the rockery, turned a corner again, and suddenly brightened in front of me.

Lord Zhang Cang, the assassin of Lingzhou, as well as Min Ye, the highest commander of the local army, and several local high-ranking officials listened to the song together, but what was in front of them was not wine, but tea.

When someone came in, everyone's eyes lit up, and Min Ye took the lead and said, "Brother Chai, you are here!" ”

Chai Rong smiled and took off his hooded cloak and bowed, "It's my sin to make a few adults wait for a long time." Just a small courtesy, please smile. ”

Behind him was a team of beautiful children, both men and women, all seven or eight years old, when male and female were indistinguishable, one-on-one, polite, whether it was a prostitute or a maid, they were all the best choice.

When the officials saw it, they all showed a little satisfaction, only Min Ye said, "At this time, you are just sending a heavenly immortal, and Lao Tzu is not in the mood to watch it, Brother Chai, sit down, let's talk about business!" ”

Chai Rong smiled and stepped forward to sit down. The butler quickly withdrew with all the servants and singers, and went to arrange for the children to be given to the adults.

In the hall, Zhang Cang said, "That King Ping seems to care about everything, and Junma is also young and polite. But when things are done, they are not leaky, and it is really impossible to find out the depth. ”

"That's it!" Min Ye said, "Lao Tzu wanted to ask the young little colt out of the city to go shopping, so I pushed him." Give him a gift, and block it for him, it's really hard to get oil and salt, and it's all difficult. ”

"The county lord too." There was another person next to him, "I asked my wife to bring her a nice piece of jewelry, but the county lord accepted it, and then sent back a piece made by the palace." It's even better than what my family originally sent. ”

Suddenly, one person said again. "But if the emperor really sent him to check the tea tax, how could there be no movement so far? The honor guards have already gone to the capital, and the imperial history surnamed Fang, I haven't seen them come into contact with it? ”

Another humane. "Or. Are we too nervous? The kid surnamed Fang. Although there was a scene in the countryside, after sending someone to warn him, wasn't he already honest? The poor relatives of his family are all under our control. There's no way he's going to ignore any of them, right? ”

Chai Rong listened patiently to what they said, and then smiled, "I only tell you one thing, that Lord Junma has now arrived in Xianyuan Town." ”

What the?

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked.

Min Ye had the strongest temper, and suddenly slapped the table, "How can this be reasonable!" A good toast without eating and drinking, in vain we took so much trouble to bring such a big pomp to his family, it was all in vain. ”

A hideous look suddenly appeared on his face, "His Ouyang family is also this Lingzhou family in the end, and the Yunling Shi family ......"

"No!" Zhang Cang snorted, "If you really do this, but the rabbit will bite too." Besides, there is also King Ping, if you move the two of them, how can he give up with us? ”

"So what to do? Did you watch them stab the emperor about the tea tax? Min Ye said angrily, "Lao Tzu worked hard to lay down the country for Daliang, got a whole body injury, and died two sons and three nephews, so what if you just eat some and get some now?" Relying on the mountains to eat the mountains, relying on the water to eat the water, the emperor did this, it is really chilling! ”

"Silence!" Zhang Cang was so anxious that he slammed the table, "Even if it's in my house, can you say such a big rebellion?" ”

Min Ye stopped talking, but the obviously angry look was under Chai Rong's eyes, and he smiled faintly, and he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, please rest assured, since I am here, I must end this matter." ”

Zhang Cangqi said, "Do you have a way?" Let's hear about it. ”

Chai Rong smiled, "Even if Ouyang Kang really came to check the tea tax on the emperor's order, wouldn't it be good for us to pull him into the water?" Okay, please go back and rest with peace of mind, and wait for my good news. ”

Obviously, they didn't want to tell them, and when the other officials heard this, they immediately got up and took their leave.

When Zhang Cang and Min Ye were left alone, Chai Rong didn't break it, but said, "The two adults just need to remember that Lord He is standing on top of us." ”

When the sky fell, there was a tall man on top, Zhang Min and the others felt a little calmer, and thanked him, Chai Rong took the initiative to propose, "Master Zhang stays, and I will send Lord Min out." ”

On the way, there was a desire to tempt Min Ye to say a few words, and Min Ye suddenly complained.

"How many brothers died in the war together? What did the emperor say at that time? He patted me on the shoulder, shed tears and said, you old fellows have won the world with me, as long as there is my high family in the future, I will not treat you badly. But now? I admit that I am greedy for a little money, but I am not the only one who is greedy, who doesn't do this? In the past, it was said that thousands of miles of officials are only for money, so what's wrong with me making a little money? As for the emperor being so careful, did he secretly send someone to investigate?

Besides, I took this little money, did I eat and drink it myself? Aren't they all used to help some poor relatives? Today this is coming, tomorrow is coming, the big guys all see me as an official, and they want to get some light, this is also human nature, who is not the same? The emperor is a rich man in the world, of course he is rich, look at his uncle and cousin, how glamorous it is? But we can't, if we just rely on the little money of the court, it's enough to be a fart......"

Chai Rong listened patiently and smiled, and waited until the last before he said, "I can understand Lord Min's difficulties, otherwise, you can pay a few small sums and mix shares in which shop in my house." ”

Min Ye was taken aback, "Then what's embarrassing?" ”

Chai Rong smiled, "What's so embarrassing?" As long as you help guard Lingzhou, are we afraid that we won't get any money in the future? ”

Min Ye was not stupid after all, and he heard the meaning of the words, "Do you have any other plans?" ”

Chai Rong whispered a few words in his ear, and Min Ye's face changed greatly when he heard it, "You...... That's ......."

Chai Rong said, "Wealth and wealth are in danger, as long as the situation is laid out, even if it is the emperor, he can only admit this dumb loss." ”

Min Ye's eyes flickered, and he thought about it again, "Then do you want to ...... with Master Zhang?"

Chai Rong said, "Our Chai family's business is not everyone has the opportunity to get involved, I see that Master Min is a decisive and courageous person to tell you such a heart-to-heart words, if you don't dare, then forget it, just when I talk nonsense, I will find a way to solve the tea tax this time, but I dare not guarantee it next time." ”

Min Ye swallowed his saliva, his palms were full of sweat, "You, you let me think about ......"

Chai Rong smiled, "Of course, but Lord Min, you are not young at this age, and you should return to your hometown in a few more years, right?" When the time comes, you have to settle your children first, otherwise there will be no successor, and it will be difficult for the family. ”

In a word, poked Min Ye's heart.

His most courageous sons and nephews had all been killed, and now all that was left of the family was unlucky. If it weren't for saving them more family business, why would he let go of the Beijing officials, and he had to be released, fighting for his age, and making money everywhere with a thick old face?

Lingzhou is really a good place, and in recent years, the family has slowly prospered with the tea tax money. If you don't make more money while you are still in your seat, and when you retire, the family will only have to sit and eat.

Finally, he made up his mind, "Then you explain the situation more clearly, and I will see if this thing can be done." ”

Chai Rong smiled lightly, hiding the vicious calculation in his eyes.

Ouyang Kang, who told you to be so short-sighted, but to step on the master's land? It's not that I won't let you go this time, but that others won't let you go!

※

Xianyuan Town, in the inn.

Ouyang Kang saw his daughter-in-law and his mother-in-law together, and he just took down such a big pot of crystal elbows with a smile, and he felt that his brain was a little confused.

The mother and daughter didn't eat the pork belly because they bought it late, but they were already there at this time discussing whether to return to the pot or marinate it tomorrow. If it is marinated, do you want to add a few pig's trotters, pork belly, chicken, duck or something.

"Do you want to drink some tea and go out and walk around?" Mu Shaoqin hesitated again and again, and took the initiative to find an opportunity to reconcile with his wife.

But Hui Niang obviously didn't want to forgive him very much, she raised her chin like an eldest woman, and snorted, "Don't worry about it, let's go back to the house and eat melon seeds by ourselves." Even if I was overwhelmed, I had my daughter with me. ”

Can you still knock melon seeds? Mu Shaoqin regretted a little at this time, he agreed to separate so quickly, and now he has no chance to talk alone.

His cold was not so serious, and the fever subsided after a pair of medicines. Now that the mother and daughter are gone, what's the point of leaving a son-in-law who has recovered faster and is jumping around in front of her?

With a sullen sigh in his heart, Mu Shaoqin fell to sleep. By the way, I wonder how to open my mouth tomorrow, drive my annoying son-in-law back, and let my wife move back again.

But when the door was closed, the son-in-law stepped forward and had something to say to him.

It's not that Ouyang Kang can't bear it, it's really a bit big, and if he doesn't discuss it with others, he is a little bottomless in his heart.

The affairs of Lingzhou were far more complicated than he imagined.

According to Bao Yiqing's confession, in addition to natural disasters, even in the most serious years of war, the tea output of Xianyuan Mountain did not fall below fifty percent. And even in the best years of the previous dynasty, at least thirty percent of their tea tax here was concealed.

That is equivalent to saying that when the officials of the Great Liang Dynasty first came here to take office, there was extremely serious corruption.

And behind this corruption, there is a huge chain of interests. (To be continued......)